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Ed Hardy - page 109

How to easily schedule HomeKit devices with Siri commands

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How to easily schedule HomeKit devices with Siri commands
You can tell Siri to turn a HomeKit accessory off in a few minutes and it’ll happen. Here’s what you do.
Photo: Cult of Mac

You know you can turn on a HomeKit accessory by talking to Siri, but are you aware you can order devices to turn on or off at some point in the future just as easily?

Here’s how to set impromptu schedules for your HomeKit accessories with Siri commands — and why you might want to.

Apple might be forced to push VR/AR headset back to 2023

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Apple mixed reality headset
It probably won't look anything like this.
Photo: Vu Hoang/Flickr CC

One of the most hotly anticipated products of 2022 could be delayed until 2023, according to an unconfirmed report. Apple’s VR/AR headset might not be announced until late this year and not ship until next year.

Mechanical and software problems reportedly delayed the device, which supposedly will offer both virtual reality and augmented reality capabilities.

Every iPhone 14 model might pack a ProMotion display and 6GB of RAM

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Every iPhone 14 model will have a ProMotion display and 6GB of RAM
The standard iPhone 14 is expected to look much like the iPhone 13.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The displays in the two “standard” iPhone 14 versions will be upgraded to 120Hz ProMotion, according to a prediction by an industry analyst. And they supposedly will come with 50% more RAM.

There’ve been plenty of rumors about the iPhone 14 Pro models, so those interested in the two standard ones should be pleased to get some leaked details.

Writers Guild Award nominations go to 5 Apple TV+ shows

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Jon Stewart is back in the anchor's chair on Apple TV+ show
The Problem With Jon Stewart is just one of the Apple TV+ series up for a 2022 WGA Award.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+ earned six nominations across five series in the 2022 Writers Guild of America Awards. These honor outstanding writing in TV series.

The film nominations will be announced later in January, and Apple might pick up some additional nominations then.

AirPods 3 drop back to their lowest price ever

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AirPods 3 drop back to their lowest price ever
AirPods 3 are brilliant… and on sale!
Photo: Apple

Amazon has an answer for what to do with that gift card you received over the holidays. The recently released AirPods 3 are once again selling for their lowest price ever: $139.99.

And there are significant deals on AirPods Pro and AirPods 2 as well.

This battery pack juices MacBook at top speed, offers MagSafe for iPhone

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The MagSafe-compatible Chargeasap Flash Pro Plus power bank can charge up to six Apple devices at once.
The MagSafe-compatible Chargeasap Flash Pro Plus power bank can charge up to six Apple devices at once.
Photo: Chargeasap

The Chargeasap Flash Pro Plus is for those who want a single battery that can replenish all their gear. All at once. It holds 25,000mAh and can charge a MacBook at up to 100W though USB-C, and has three other ports. But that’s just the start, as there’s a built-in MagSafe iPhone charger and an Apple Watch charger, too.

The power pack went through a round of crowdfunding but has moved past that stage. It is available to order now.

iPhone 14 won’t include in-screen Touch ID

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iPhone 14 won‘t include in-screen Touch ID
Bad news: looks like iPhone 14 won’t be Apple’s first with an in-display Touch ID scanner.
Concept: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple won’t build the Touch ID fingerprint recognition system into the 2022 iPhone, according to a very reliable tipster. That’s bad news for those who aren’t fans of Face ID, or who just want a second option.

There haven’t been any specific reports that the iPhone 14 will include Touch ID, but Apple is supposedly working on an in-screen version.

Macs just keep flying off store shelves

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2021 iMac 24-inch
People are buying way more Macs than they used to.
Photo: Apple

Worldwide Mac shipments grew 22% in 2021. That’s the highest annual growth rate of any computer maker, according to a market-analysis firm.

It continues a year-over-year strong growth trend that started in 2020 and resulted in a 55% increase in shipments over two years.

Put terabytes of high-speed storage on your desk with OWC’s NVMe U.2 SSD array [Review]

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OWC Mercury Pro U.2 Dual review
You can start the OWC Mercury Pro U.2 Dual with a fairly modest amount of storage than grow it to 64TB.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The OWC Mercury Pro U.2 Dual can handle up to eight U.2 SSDs. And it can be pre-configured with up to 64TB. That’s a lot of storage capacity. Or put in your own SSDs. And the external drive enclosure uses Thunderbolt for high-speed connections to your Mac. Plus there’s RAID support.

I put the drive holder through testing. Here’s what I found.

Apple TV+ scores impressive 12 nominations for Screen Actors Guild Awards

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Apple TV+ scores impressive 12 nominations for Screen Actors Guild Awards
CODA, Ted Lasso and The Morning Show all scored nominations for the 2022 SG Awards.
Photo: Apple TV+/Cult of Mac

Ted Lasso, The Morning Show and CODA racked up multiple nominations in the 2002 Screen Actors Guild Awards, helping to further polish the reputation of the Apple TV+. The Tragedy of MacBeth wasn’t overlooked by the SAG wards, either.

Apple’s streaming service was a standout, with Ted Lasso tied for the most nominations for any series.

Apple smashes Messages, CarPlay and HomeKit bugs with iOS 15.2.1

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iOS 15.2.1 update squashes some bugs in Messages and CarPlay.
iOS 15.2.1 squashes some bugs in Messages and CarPlay.
Photo: Lewis Wallace/Cult of Mac

iPhone users got small “bug fix” update on Wednesday. iOS 15.2.1 takes care of problems with Messages and CarPlay. And a HomeKit bug that made the news recently. In addition, iPadOS 15.2.1 is also out to take care of the same Messages bug.

Both updates are available for all, and are ready to be installed immediately.

Apple TV+ lands The Beanie Bubble about ‘90s craze for fuzzy toys

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Apple TV+ lands The Beanie Bubble about ‘90s craze for fuzzy toys
America really once lost its collective mind over stuffed animals.
Photo: Ty, Inc.

Apple TV+ got the rights to The Beanie Bubble, a film about the ‘90s toy craze. Zach Galifianakis and Elizabeth Banks will lead a star-studded cast.

The film will recall when collecting the stuffed animals from Ty, Inc. were a sensation that led to some of the products rising tremendously in value. And then falling.

Lenses in Apple AR glasses might adjust to wearer’s eye prescription

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A patent shows what Apple Glass AR glasses might look like.
Wow, glasses that self adjust so whatever you’re looking at is in focus.
Illustration: Apple

Apple is preparing for a future where you put on a pair of glasses and they automatically adjust themselves to your eyes. It received a patent on Tuesday for a system to handle this process. Self-adjusting lenses are likely intended for the augmented-reality glasses that Apple is rumored to be working on.

This could be the end of trips to the eye doctor to get a lens prescription. The glasses will take care it.

Adonit Neo Duo stylus works wonders on iPhone as well as iPad

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Adonit Neo Duo stylus works wonders on iPhone as well as iPad
Easily switch the Adonit Neo Duo between iPad and iPhone, and write accurately on either.
Photo: Adonit

Whether you’re using an iPad, iPad Pro or iPhone, the just-released Adonit Neo Duo stylus is compatible. Its small writing tip mimics a pen, and the accessory clings magnetically to several iPad models.

It’s part of a new series of styli. The Adonit Neo has many of the same features as the Neo Duo but is intended specifically for iPad. And the inexpensive Adonit Neo Lite works with all touchscreen devices.

Uber puts the brakes on Apple Watch app

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Uber puts the brakes on Apple Watch app
No more calling for an Uber from your Apple Watch.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

If you want to call an Uber, you’ll have to do it from your iPhone — the Apple Watch app was disabled on Monday. Apparently permanently.

Uber gave no reason for the change.

Play ball! Apple TV+ might stream Major League Baseball games

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Get ready to watch some baseball. It's easier than ever to stream MLB playoffs.
Apple TV+ could be singing “Take me out to the ball park” soon.
Photo: Paul Lim/Flickr CC

Apple TV+ might be ready to play in the big leagues. Major League Baseball, to be exact. The company reportedly engaged in “substantial talks” with MLB about acquiring the rights to stream games.

If such a deal comes together, it would be a game-changer for Apple’s streaming service.

iPhone 14 Pro concept shows possibilities of pill-shaped camera hole

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iPhone 14 Pro concept shows possibilities of pill-shaped camera hole
If a recent rumor is on the mark, the device on the right is exactly what the iPhone 14 Pro will look like.
Concept:

Rumor has it the iPhone 14 Pro will dump the screen notch for a pill-shaped camera hole. A concept artist turned the unconfirmed report into a possible design for Apple’s 2022 flagship phone.

He even put the additional screen space to good use.

Apple VR headset won’t create a full metaverse

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Don’t expect the Apple VR headset to be the first step in re-creating Ready Player One by delivering a full metaverse.
Don’t expect the Apple VR headset to be the first step in re-creating Ready Player One.
Photo: Warner Bros. Entertainment

While Apple is creating a VR headset, it’s reportedly not developing a complete virtual world for users. It plans on virtual reality games, video and other experiences. But these supposedly won‘t be connected into a single VR metaverse.

That sets it apart from Meta (formerly Facebook), which does hope to create a virtual world it controls.

HomeKit shakes things up at CES 2022

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HomeKit was a stand-out star at CES 2022
CES 2022 brought daily announcements of new devices with Apple’s HomeKit home-automation system.
Photo: Cult of Mac

There is a lot to get HomeKit fans excited at this year’s CES tech showcase in Las Vegas. Quite a few companies announced products that will support Apple’s home-automation system, including lights, door cameras and more.

Glitzy projects like concept cars get more attention, but HomeKit accessories are more likely to make people’s lives better.

What it will take to push Apple to $4 trillion

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Apple MacBook cash dollars money
Apple will be at a $4 trillion marker capitalization before you know it. Here’s why.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Two monumental events happened this week. Apple became the first U.S. company to be worth an astonishing $3 trillion. And a day later came the official end of BlackBerry — a series of phones that once dominated the market.

The collapse of BlackBerry is proof that today’s winners aren‘t inevitably tomorrow’s. While in the coming years Apple could become the first company to reach $4 trillion, it also could start down a path that ends in failure.

Here’s some of what Apple will do so it doesn’t end up like BlackBerry.

Apple loses head of Mac chip design to Intel

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Apple M1 chip
Someone who lead the switch to the M series of processors jumped ship to Intel.
Photo: Apple

The person responsible for overseeing the transition from Intel to Apple silicon left the company. Jeff Wilcox was Director, Mac System Architecture before his departure.

He summed up his previous role by saying he “led the transition for all Macs to Apple Silicon beginning with M1 chip.” That was one of the most important projects at Apple in recent years, though it’s one that’s wrapping up.

Huge stock award lets Apple CEO Tim Cook pull in cool $98.7 million in 2021

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Tim Cook earnings apple
Tim Cook’s compensation package for 2021 is more than 6x what it was in the previous year.
Illustration: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

It’s good to be the CEO — Apple chief executive Tim Cook was paid $98.7 million in 2021. That’s a combination of a base salary, an incentive plan and other compensation, but the lion’s share is in Apple stock.

Other top Apple executives also have 8-figure annual compensation packages, if not anywhere close to Cook’s.

Apple continues testing multiple folding iPhone prototypes

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The foldable iPhone 12 Flip concept could someday be a reality.
Folding iPhone prototypes are being tested — possibly in a top-secret Apple lab under a dormant volcano on a mysterious island.
Photo: ConceptsiPhone

Work on a folding iPhone reportedly goes on. Apple is secretly testing “multiple prototypes that contain foldable displays,” according to a reliable tipster.

But the company is also watching closely to see if foldable phones will turn out to be a fad without staying power.

Aura Air purifier gets smarter with HomeKit [Updated]

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Aura Air purifier gets smarter with HomeKit
Aura Air just became a better option for Apple users looking for professional-grade air filtration.
Photo: Aura

The Aura Air cleanses and disinfects indoor air, getting rid of viruses, bacteria and mold. And the professional system will soon be upgraded to support Apple’s HomeKit automation system.